FAQ

About Homefirst and Homelessness

What is considered affordable housing?

A unit is considered affordable if it costs no more than 30% of the renter's income

What does it take to live in NJ?

• In NJ the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,202.00
• In order to afford this rent without paying more than 30% of their income, a household must earn $48,087.00 annually.
  
  

What can a minimum wage worker afford?

• As at 07/2009 a minimum wage worker in New Jersey earns $7.25 hourly.
• In order to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom apartment, a minimum wage worker must work 129 hours per week, 52 weeks per year!
• In order to make the apartment affordable at the FMR, a household would need as many as 3 minimum wage earners ... all working at least 40 hours a week, year round, with no time off for holidays or illness.
  
  

How hard is it for a renter making an average wage to afford the Fair Market Rent of a two-bedroom?

• In New Jersey the estimated average wage for a renter is $14.94 an hour.
• In order to afford the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 57 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.
  
  

Where do the families go when they leave the Homefirst Interfaith Hospitality Network?

• Some are ready to move into an apartment of their own – we assist with housing vouchers, first month’s rent and security deposit.
• When available and appropriate a family moves into Homefirst owned Transitional Housing.
• Some families move directly into Homefirst owned Permanent Housing.
• Occasionally a family moves out of the area or into another program that serves their needs better.
  
  

More facts and figures on homelessness:

• Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey
• National Coalition for the Homeless
  
  

For Families and Individuals Seeking Help:

I am seeking shelter, who should I contact?

LaQuanna Walker is the coordinator for our Interfaith Hospitality Network Shelter. Please contact her at (908) 753-4001 x 11.

I am in need of assistance with rent and utilities, who should I contact?

While our rent and utilities assistance funding is limited, Bethany Griggs is the contact for such assistance. Please call her at (908) 753-4001 x 18.

What is your address?

Our office is located at 905 Watchung Avenue in Plainfield, NJ 07061 on the corner of Franklin Place.

For Individuals or Groups Who Want to Lend a Helping Hand:

I am interested in working on a service project, who do I contact?

Thank you for your interest in helping Homefirst please contact either Susan Oldroyd Laffler (908) 753-4001 x 20 or Amy Van Pelt (908) 753-4001 x 12.

I would like to find out more about Homefirst, what is my next step?

We encourage individuals, school groups, students, community groups, companies, and congregations to attend one of our House Tours of Homefirst.

Recently, while volunteering at my congregation, a guest confided a very personal matter to me. How should I handle this situation? Is it okay to offer advice to guests on their personal issues?

While we often feel moved to offer any assistance we can to the guests we are serving, it's important to refrain from advising them on their personal issues. Janice, the Homefirst IHN Coordinator, meets with each family on a regular basis to counsel them and connect them with needed services. Volunteers should always listen but never ask questions and never give advice. If a guest asks you for advice, please encourage them to speak with Janice and ensure them that she can help them seek the answers they need.

I love volunteering in my congregation during our hosting weeks. I am a school teacher and love to interact with the children during and after dinner time. What other opportunities are there to volunteer with the children you serve?

While it is true that most of our volunteers (more than 1,000 in fact!) are those like yourself who volunteer when their congregation is hosting homeless families, there are plenty of other short and long-term volunteer activities for individuals and groups that might be just what you are looking for. Our Volunteer Services Department not only works within the Interfaith Hospitality Network but also helps individuals and groups create meaningful volunteer experiences that meet the needs of the families we serve. If you have the time to contribute, we would love to link you to a Homefirst volunteer opportunity. For more information, contact Amy at 908-753-4001, ext. 12 or amy@homefirstinc.org.